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Pro Football Focus names Tennessee's Jermod McCoy Preseason All-American

IMG_3593by:Grant Ramey•05/08/25•

GrantRamey

Tennessee cornerback Jermod McCoy. Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images
Tennessee cornerback Jermod McCoy. Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images

Pro Football Focus isn’t slowing down in its hype of Jermod McCoy ahead of the 2025 season. PFF not only has McCoy at No. 8 overall in its 2026 NFL Draft rankings, but now has added Preseason All-American honors for the Tennessee corner. 

McCoy, who is coming back from an ACL tear in January, had a breakout season in his first year at Tennessee, finishing with 44 tackles, nine passes defended and four interceptions.

He had 31 tackles and two interceptions in 12 games as a freshman at Oregon State before transferring to Tennessee. 

“The current favorite to be the top corner selected in the 2026 NFL Draft, McCoy was a lockdown player for the Volunteers after transferring in from Oregon State,” PFF’s Max Chadwick and Trevor Sikkema wrote. “His 89.6 PFF coverage grade in 2024 is second among returning Power Four corners, while his four interceptions were tied for second in that same group.”

Jermod McCoy projected as first-round pick in 2026 NFL Draft

Five outlets — The Athletic, USA Today, ESPN, CBS Sports and Todd McShay — all have McCoy projected as a first-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, as high as No. 11 to No. 20.

The top prospect on the PFF Big Board are Ohio State safety Caleb Downs, ahead of Clemson edge rusher TJ Parker, Clemson defensive lineman Peter Woods, Texas quarterback Arch Manning, Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik and Alabama offensive tackle Kadyn Proctor.

PFF’s other preseason All-Americans included Klubnik, Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love, Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith, Alabama wide receiver Ryan Williams, Notre Dame corner Leonard Moore, Downs and Minnesota safety Koi Perich. 

17 Tennessee players drafted during Josh Heupel era

Four Tennessee players were selected in the 2025 NFL Draft. 

James Pearce went at No. 26 overall in the first round, selected by the Atlanta Falcons, and defensive tackle Omarr Norman-Lott was the No. 63 overall pick, taken in the second round by the Kansas City Chiefs. 

Dont’e Thornton went on Day 3, picked in the fourth round by the Las Vegas Raiders in the third round. Running back Dylan Sampson went later in the third round at No. 126 overall to the Cleveland Browns. 

The four picks in this year’s draft bring the total to 17 Tennessee players drafted during the Josh Heupel era: Hendon Hooker; Joe Milton III; Jaylen Wright; Dylan Sampson; Dont’e Thornton; Cedric Tillman; Jalin Hyatt; Velus Jones; Cade Mays; Darnell Wright; Kamal Hadden; Theo Jackson; Alontae Taylor; James Pearce; Byron Young; Omarr Norman-Lott; Matthew Butler.

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